Sodium Hydride
Sodium Hydride is a potent, inorganic reducing agent and a versatile strong base used extensively in complex organic synthesis. It is most commonly supplied as a 60% Dispersion in Mineral Oil to maintain stability and prevent spontaneous ignition upon contact with air or moisture.
This chemical is indispensable for deprotonation reactions, particularly in the formation of enolates and the synthesis of ethers via the Williamson method. Its high reactivity and salt-like structure make it a primary choice for high-precision laboratory and industrial scale chemistry.
Due to its pyrophoric nature, the product requires specialized handling and an inert atmosphere to function safely as a catalyst or reagent. It provides a clean reaction profile, typically releasing Hydrogen Gas as the only byproduct, which simplifies downstream purification processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Sodium Hydride
- Organic Synthesis: Serves as a powerful base for the condensation of esters and the alkylation of amines and alcohols in drug development.
- Metallurgy: Utilized as a specialized descaling agent for metals and as a component in the manufacture of high-energy hydrogen storage materials.
- Condensation Catalyst: Facilitates Claisen and Dieckmann condensations by generating nucleophilic species from organic carbonyl compounds.
Classified as Hazard Class 4.3 (Dangerous When Wet) and Corrosive. It reacts violently with water; handle exclusively under Inert Gas using Flame-Resistant PPE and Face Shields.
1 kg Sealed Tins, 25 kg Drums (dispersion in oil), and 50 kg specialized UN-approved containers.
